#ICYMI: This week, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) made
headlines with several notable incidents, including an update to the continued
efforts by the CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force, Oakland CHP arrests
a suspect who fled after brandishing a firearm, an 18-year-old arrested for
DUI and recovery of an unregistered firearm, Coastal Division CHP officers honored,
and a “spooky” carpool lane violation leads to a citation.
The
list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an
excerpt from each announcement. Click on the headlines to access
accompanying assets that are available for download. 1.
CHP
CONTINUES TO FIGHT AGAINST RETAIL CRIME On October 15, Governor Newsom announced
that CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) continues its work to
tamp down on organized retail theft operations statewide. This year, the
task force has conducted 621 investigations leading to 1,123 arrests and
recovered 269,992 stolen items valued at $8.1 million. Since its inception,
the task force has made 3,223 arrests and recovered 880,276 stolen items
valued at more than $46 million. On October 14, CHP’s ORCTF in Border
Division served multiple search warrants and recovered over $140k in stolen
retail merchandise. As a result, Victor Manuel Marcos Marino, 33, Maria
Isabel Orozco Cadena, 31, Elena Huezo, 43, and Jose Aurelio Diaz Magana,
36, were arrested in Anaheim for their involvement in the thefts and booked
into the Orange County Jail. On October 16, CHP’s ORCTF in
Southern Division worked with our retail partners at Lululemon to apprehend
a pair of "Boosters" who had stolen 131 items, with a value of
approximately $15,000 from several of their retail locations throughout Los
Angeles County. The suspect vehicle was located traveling on I-10 in West
Covina and was stopped by Baldwin Park Area officers as our air support
provided cover from above. Both suspects were taken into custody, and all
items were recovered at the scene. 2.
OAKLAND CHP ARRESTS
SUSPECT WHO FLED AFTER BRANDISHING FIREARM On July 19, CHP officers assigned to
Operation Safe Streets within the City of Oakland observed an individual
swiftly exiting a vehicle and fleeing the scene upon noticing the officers.
During the pursuit, the officers noted that the suspect displayed a
handgun, and unfortunately, the suspect was able to avoid apprehension.
A follow-up investigation revealed the vehicle was stolen, and a loaded
handgun was found nearby. After multiple search warrants, the CHP Oakland
Area Major Crimes Unit identified the prime suspect as Daniel
"Danny" Lopez-Curiel, a 21-year-old from Oakland. In the early hours of October 16, a warrant was
executed at Lopez-Curiel's residence with support from the CHP Golden Gate
Division Warrant Service Team, Investigative Services Unit Northern FEAR
Team, and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. During the investigation,
further evidence tied Lopez-Curiel to the stolen vehicle and firearm.
Additional features found at the site included aftermarket key fobs, key
programmers, and multiple shaved keys, indicating potential vehicle theft
activities. Lopez-Curiel was located in Union City and was apprehended
without incident. Curiel is facing various charges, including possession of
a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest, and numerous firearm violations. 3.
18-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED FOR DUI AND
RECOVERY OF AN UNREGISTERED FIREARM On October 13, CHP officers from the Santa Cruz area responded
to reports of a vehicle unable to maintain its lane on Southbound Highway
1. After stopping the vehicle and contacting the driver, the driver showed
clear signs of impairment, resulting in an arrest on suspicion of driving
under the influence. A subsequent inspection of the vehicle uncovered a
loaded, unregistered firearm. The 18-year-old resident of Castroville was
taken into custody on charges of DUI as well as possession of an
unregistered firearm. 4.
CHP COASTAL
DIVISION OFFICERS HONORED On October 12, the Peace Officers
Association of Ventura County hosted its 43rd Annual Medal of Valor Awards
Ceremony. Law enforcement personnel and civilians were recognized for their
exceptional actions amid life-threatening situations. Congratulations to
the CHP Officers honored on this significant occasion: Officer Chisholm,
Officer Neuner, Officer Winter, and Officer Ayers. In addition, we
recognized Officer Chevalier's notable achievement as the 2024 Investigator
of the Year nominee, demonstrating his remarkable competence in conducting
criminal investigations. 5. “SPOOKY”
CARPOOL LANE VIOLATION LEADS TO A CITATION
On October 12, a driver recently put a
Halloween skeleton with a “Scream” mask in the passenger seat and then used
a carpool lane in the San Jose area. Our CHP officer was not fooled. Even
though the skeleton wore a seatbelt, the officer issued a citation. The CHP
reminds the public that although “spooky season” is upon us, it is
important to remember that decorations being transported in the passenger
seat do not qualify to meet carpool requirements. The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of
Safety, Service, and Security. |
